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DAYTON -- Jesse Charles Huff walked up to the VA Medical Center yesterday wearing Army
fatigues and battling pain from his Iraq war wounds and a recent bout with depression.

The 27-year-old Dayton man had entered the center's emergency room about 1a.m. yesterday and
requested some sort of treatment. But Huff did not get that treatment, police said, and about 5:45
a.m., he reappeared at the center's entrance, put a military-style rifle to his head and twice
pulled the trigger.

Police would not specify what treatment Huff sought and why he did not receive it. Medical
center spokeswoman Donna Simmons declined to answer questions about Huff's treatment, citing
privacy laws. But police believe Huff killed himself to make a statement.

Scott Labensky, whose son lived with Huff, agreed. He said the veteran was injured by a ground
blast while serving in Iraq and received ongoing treatment for a back injury and depression.

"He never got adequate care from the VA he was trying to get," Labensky said. "I believe he
(killed himself) to bring attention to that fact."

Simmons said Huff had received care at the center since August 2008 and his care was being
handled by a case manager.

Huff drove a van to the medical center. Police found nothing dangerous inside the van, which
contained some Army clothing, a carton of cigarettes and a prescription bottle of oxycodone with
Huff's name on it.